“Nah, I’m tired,” I lie as a wave of energy rushes through me. “I’d prefer to just head home.”
She looks out the window, sparkling dress shimmering inside of the car. “I ran into Eva today.”
Just the mention of her name has my body twisted in knots. I’ve tried so hard to keep my distance for the week.
I didn’t mean for it to go this far. From day one, I’ve made it clear what this was and what it wasn’t.
But now, everything feels different.
Eva laughs, and something in my chest aches. I touch her, and it feels like … coming home. That scares the hell out of me.
I’m not ready for that. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Walking away doesn’t feel like an option either. She’s not just a fling or someone I can shrug off and forget. She’s gotten under my skin, inserting herself into places I’ve kept locked down for years.
I keep telling myself I’m protecting her by putting this distance between us. But the truth is, I’m protecting myself. And for what? I fear if it ended today, the damage has already been done. I’m already in deep.
I remember Penelope is here.
“Oh, yeah?” I ask distantly.
“Yeah. I saw the look on her face when I told her you were taking me here tonight.”
I snap my head toward her. “You told her that?”
“Well, yeah. We ran into each other while shopping today. It just came up. She seemed upset. I didn’t realize there was something going on …”
My jaw clenches as I see red. “Penelope, that is none of your business.”
She appears taken aback. “We’ve always done these events together. It’s easier than finding a date with our hectic schedules.”
“That ends tonight,” I bark, my leg bouncing as I watch us slowly pull up to her apartment building.
“I’m sorry, Roman. I had no idea it was like that.”
“Good night, Penelope,” I answer, telling her this conversation is over.
She nods her head in understanding. “Good night, Roman.”
The moment the door closes, I snap, “My place, Aaron. As fast as you can get there.”
My heart is racing. All I can see is a look of disappointment on her face—from me staying away from her after our time in Paris to her hearing about me taking Penelope to this event. It’s all I can do not to jump out of this car and sprint the rest of the way.
The car barely comes to a complete stop before I’m out of the car and running inside.
I pound on her door as I try to catch my breath. My bow tie is dangling around my neck. I’ve unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt.
She opens the door and is standing in front of me in her matching black silk pajama set. I realize I don’t know what to say. My hand rests against the doorframe as I try to come up with something.
Without warning, she jumps into my arms. I hold her up against me as she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. All at once, the panic that has consumed me is gone.
I walk us into her place and kick the door shut. I can’t wait until we get to her bedroom to be inside of her. I spin us around and slam her back against the door.
She reaches for my belt with as much urgency as I feel. We both fumble to get me free while our mouths move frantically against each other.
The moment I’m free, I push her shorts down and tear her panties off in one forceful pull.
I push inside of her and let her sink all the way down. Her fingers dig into my shoulders before she pushes my jacket off me. As I move inside of her, she unbuttons my shirt, then moves her hands against my chest.